A group hoping to preserve the history of Perry County's one-room schoolhouses is still seeking information on a few that remain mysteries.
A committee of the Perry County Historical Society has been working since summer 2016 to collect information on the approximately 91 schoolhouses that operated in the county. Files will be housed at the Perry County Jail Museum. Credit will be given to those who share their names and give the committee permission. The deadline for submissions is Nov. 1.
Remaining schools on which information is sought include Arthur (1834), Bland, East Lynn (Eastland?), Holden, Ireland, St. Johns (colored), Pinckneyville (colored), Webb and Williams.
Information sought includes other names the schools might have been called, physical locations, photographs with dates, pictures with names of students and teachers, date the schools opened and closed, dates of any newspaper articles, histories of schools and personal memories.
"We've collected … many copies of photos, news articles and memorabilia," project member Leanna Leek previously told the Call. "However, as there were approximately 91 of these schools in Perry County, there are several that we have little to no information about. We would welcome any information, pictures, stories, etc., on any of the one-room schools in the county. We encourage the public to scour their attics and basements and to quiz older relatives and friends."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Lance Feik at lwfeik@gmail.com, Leek at 618-790-3512 or Pam Urban at 618-542-5981. You can also send any information to the Perry County Jail Museum, 108 W. Jackson St. in Pinckneyville.
